Tuesday, September 30, 2008

SECOND UPDATE ON TERESA

6:30 pm TuesdayFirst a correction. In my first post I said that she had to have two units of blood during the surgery. It was actually 22 units. She had two more early this morning.Since then her blood pressure is holding and her Doctor plans to start slowly weaning her off the medication they have been giving to keep her asleep since yesterday. They will also remove the breathing tube and all the others, hopefully watching carefully to be certain she is tolerating it well.I can't begin to tell you how much comfort you have given us with your prayers but I certainly want to thank you from the very depths of my heart for your loving Christian support.Your continued prayers are deeply appreciated.Thank you

Monday, September 29, 2008

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

Please pray for my niece. She was five and a half months pregnant when her baby boy died inside her. She had to go to the hospital today for doctors to remove the baby which was supposed to happen around one this afternoon, but in the process they perforted her uterus causing a lot of bleeding. They gave her two blood transfusions and ended up having to remove her uterus. In the process they discovered that her uterus was adhered to her bowel which made the surgery quite difficult. They eventually called in a vascular surgeon because they couldn't get the bleeding stopped and hoped he would know how to deal with it. Her sister said that her vitals are still good and for that we are thankful.

That's all I know right now but I am pleading with anyone who reads this to pray for Teresa and her family.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

GIFTS FROM JUDY

Our blog friend Judy Patoooteis such a sweetie. I asked her if I could buy some Blackberry Lily seeds from her and she sent me all these as a gift. She has a post on her blog showing the different stages of this fascinating flower. When the flowers are finished blooming they curl up into a corkscrew shape before going to seed. It's something worth checking out. Just scroll down a few posts on her blog and you'll see them. I believe this is like the flower of the seed's she sent. Isn't it gorgeous. I read that it is also called Leopard Lily. I also discovered that there are purple and yellow ones as well as many shades of orange and pink. I'll be looking for those next.Judy also sent this sweet bookmark. See the little child praying? You may have to click on the photo to enlarge it.

Thank you Judy, you are a precious friend.

Well that's all for now. I have been scrubbing, scraping, sanding, painting decks and this old mama is plain pooped!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

MAMA'S RUBBER GIRDLE

I was around twelve when I sat on the bed one day as mom dressed to go to town. I watched as she took a floppy pink rubber thing from her dresser, pulled it apart and proceeded to climb into it. I asked her what it was and she told me it was her new rubber girdle.

It squeaked and snapped as she desperately grunted and tugged to get it over her hips. Mama wasn't fat, in fact I thought she was shaped just perfect, but she had other ideas. She squealed a few times when it snapped her like a big rubber band but finally she was satisfied it was in place and patted it all around to smooth it. Gosh it looked strange to see her in that.

She was sweating like a work horse by the time it was finally in place and some of her hair had fallen out of the combs but she looked quite satisfied. I couldn't imagine how she would be able to walk or bend, but she did.

Rubber girdles were supposed to be more natural looking than the others and were also supposed to make you sweat off pounds while you wore them. Mom did that while putting the contraption on.

I remember dad sitting at the kitchen table with his coffee and a silly grin as the sounds of mother struggling with her new figure trimmer and the squeaking and snapping of the girdle came through the door. He never laughed out loud and neither did I. Mom could be fiesty.

I still remember the huge sigh of relief when at last she peeled the thing off and the look of pure hatred in her eyes as she tossed it on the bed. I decided then that I would never wear one of those things.

Then one day I heard her shriek and mutter something. The tone of her voice warned me to stay clear. We found out shortly that moms rubber girdle had split while she was pulling it on. I don't remember that she ever got another.

I thought rubber girdles were a 50's fad but in doing a little research I discovered that they have been around much longer and are still being made. Todays models sure don't look anything like mama's did though.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

APPROPRIATE BABY SHOES & OTHER STUFF

These sweet little flat heeled shoes are being worn by my great granddaughter Victoria. Her dear little baby feet dressed just as they should be at a year old. No high heels and no foot binding as the ancient Chinese once did. Her mama is holding on to her long enough for me to snap the picture.

Way back in the late 60's we moved to a large country rambler with a few acres of land for our horses. I planted flowers everywhere and eventually worked my way to a wooded area beyond the garage driveway. It was filled with brush but I tacked the job with a vision of a lovely woodsy looking garden. One day as I was pulling roots and brush out I began finding a Lot of little toys. Cars and trucks and some little rubber toys I think were called creepy crawlers or something like that. Some looked like reptiles and insects in neon colors of pink and orange etc.

On this particular day I was getting a bit weary of my job when I picked up a bright orange toy to toss into the driveway. I only held it for a moment because it began to wiggle in my hand. When I realized that I was not holding a toy I let out a wild shriek and tossed it.

Did I ever say that I do not have a good relationship with reptiles?

Things that slither make me shiver!

To change the subject, it has been rainy and damp here and I am finding some toadstools/mushrooms I can't identify. Anyone know what they are?These first two were growing int he gravel where I park my mower. The first one is about two inches in diameter and the second is about an inch in diameter.This one is not the same as the first. It has a very flat cap and was about two inches in diameterHere's Bambi's daddy. Yes he is a magnificent stag, but I have to confess that when he is eating my tulips, or using my Rhody's to rid his antlers of velvet I have thoughts of shooting him with something other than my camera.

Friday, September 19, 2008

BABY SHOES

I imagine by now that most of you have been introduced to the newest shoe fashion for baby girls. Some people think they are cute. The designers thought they were funny. I think it's pathetic and disgusting.

Why do people try so hard to make babies look like adults. They grow up too fast as it is.

These tiny stillettos are made for babies up to six months old and come in hot pink, black and leopard print and heels are soft so they can't injure the infant.

Isn't that nice?

In an article I found they say this is part of a worrying trend of inappropriate clothing being marketed for young children.

One place was criticised for launching padded bras for girls as young as seven.

Another place was condemned for selling black lacy underwear for nine year old girls.

It sounds to me like the manufacturers of these items is designing products to please the pedophile.

Why dress your infant or child like a hooker so some pervert can lust for her, then whine like a fool when she is raped and murdered. My Lord, how can people be so confounded stupid!

Friday, September 12, 2008

St. Sophia Day & Scenery

This morning the girls and I met for breakfast then went to St. sophia's for their Greek Festival. We hadn't gone before and wanted to see what it was about. The above picture was taken from the back of the temple. They were playing music that made me think we might see a belly dancer but we didn't. :( LOLBasically there were tents set up with all sorts of greek foods and other products. Most very high priced I thought but interesting to look at just the same.The Pastries were tempting but I am not fond of Baklava at all so didn't get carried away. Besides we were still full up from breakfast.When I look at these pictures I can see that someone did a LOT of baking. I'm glad it wasn't me!This line was longer but I couldn't get it all in the picture. They were waiting for some kind of hot food. I think called gyros. Is that a word? I don't know what it is but it must be pretty good for people to wait that long!Of course I couldn't leave without getting a picture of this lovely rose. It wasn't fragrant but sure is pretty.The next few shots were taken on the day of Jesse's memorial. I love the salt water and thought I'd share a few of my favorites. The one above was taken at the Stommish grounds at Gooseberry Point Lummi Reservation, here in Whatcom County. This is where the Memorial was held. Several hundred people attended and I took a lot of pictures. It was a beautiful day and I am so glad I could be there for my sweet friend and her family. I want to thank you all again for your prayers.See Mt. Baker peeking over the lower mountains and the town of Bellingham? If you enlarge these you can see more detail. Bellingham Bay and the mountains.Mt. Baker is such a gorgeous view and see the Twin Sisters to her right?This one was taken with telephoto lens so you can see the town better. I like how the two seagulls flew into the picture for me. This photo has absolutely nothing to do with the ones above and I don't have a clue who the lady is. I love flowers and one day did a google search on unusual flowers. I was sure surprised when I saw this. I read that some of this type stink really bad. I wouldn't want a flower like that. This one probably didn't or she wouldn't be cheek to cheek with it unless her sniffer is out of order!

I just got my computer out of the shop yesterday. It was running really slow and eventually kept freezing up. The nice technician told me it had four virus's.I have protection so I can't imagine how that hapened.Be sure to update your protection!!

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

STUFF & SUCH

Here's Bluebeard showing off for us really nice this year. I just love this late blooming perennial!And as usual I can't resist showing my special red rose. I Don't know what it's name is but it was a mother's day gift several years ago. It has done wonderful this year.My dear friend Bonnie has given me starts of this lovely Japanese Anemone. Another late summer bloomer, it will show off for me until it freezes. I love the clean, brightness of the white against the green backgrounds. And the little circle of yellow in the center looks so cheerful!I have two roses which I started from branches I got from a dear old German lady who lives nearby. Martha is a story in herself. Maybe one day I can post about her. Again I don't know the name of this rose so I just call it Martha's Peach. It has a lovely fragrance.Here's my pups, Tudy & Tildy waiting for a doggie cookie treat. Aren't they cute?I love old farms and barns and farm houses. This old fence-line shot was taken at nearby Ferndale.Another shot from Ferndale. I can't look at an old place like this without seriously wondering about the families who lived there, what they were like and what kind of life they lived. If only those walls could talk.

A very busy spider. Her web is heavy with dew drops. Click to enlarge for a better view unless you don't like spiders.

Here is a pretty anemone. I got some rhyzomes on sale in June and they are blooming now. I think they are gorgeous.Here's another pretty rose. I forgot which one it is. But it's still nice to look at.

I saw my Cardiologist today and got a good report. He said my tests came back just fine. I have known for several years that I have coronary artery disease and have been on med's and try to get enough exercise and watch my diet. It's good to know that it's working and the condition hasn't worsened.

Thank you all very much for your prayers. I don't know what I'd do without you!